"..."
At the dinner table for the mixer, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Ei, Gawain, and Tristan silently pointed their chopsticks toward themselves.
Abandon the dating objective; immediately enter defensive posture.
The three men had just sat down and were already planning their retreat.
This was because a heavyweight Heroic Spirit—Gawain's mother, the beautiful and seductive Queen Morgan—was sitting directly across from them.
"Why are you here?" Ei desperately wanted to shout.
Did sending me photos privately on my phone stop satisfying you? Did you decide to meet up in person?
"Gawain,"
Morgan's beautiful, sapphire-blue eyes fixed on the shrinking Gawain. Although the latter still managed a polite, gentlemanly smile, he was clearly about to break.
Morgan stared down at him, her voice ice-cold.
"Gawain, you are the son I trust most. I did not expect you to attend such a frivolous mixer. As the eldest son of the family, you should be studying diligently right now, setting an example for your younger siblings."
But aren't you being worse than Gawain? Since when do parents attend their children's mixers! Ei couldn't help but complain internally.
"I came because I was concerned about my daughters' safety. I need to vet my daughters' social circles," she replied. "Besides, this hotel is my property. I can come and go as I please."
A lightning-fast answer, as if she could read his mind.
"...My deepest apologies, Mother. I shall return to my studies immediately." Gawain said, bowing his head in shame.
"No need. Since you are already here, at least stay for dinner before leaving."
"Yes, Mother."
Gawain sat up straight obediently.
Ei could barely watch.
"Truly, a tragic and solemn sight, like the Battle of Camlann..." Tristan lamented.
This was hell. Absolute hell. Who runs into their own mother at a mixer?
It wasn't just Morgan... looking closely, the girls dragged in to fill the seats were also members of her family: Gareth, Mordred.
Including Baobhan Sith, this was the full family meal.
This... this wasn't a mixer anymore...
This was just "Parents bringing their children out to eat," a family dinner, and nothing more.
Refund! Give me back my 3000 QP!
I didn't pay this money to attend your family gathering.
But compared to Gawain, Ei felt even more awkward.
Gawain could at least pass as the older brother attending a family gathering. But what identity did Ei hold at this dinner table?
Was he the "Student invited over for dinner at a classmate's house"?
Or was he the "Future stepfather about to join the family"?
Why was the atmosphere at a youth mixer so incredibly heavy!
"Very well,"
Morgan's cool yet sweet voice sounded again.
"That is enough of the unpleasant words. I don't wish to ruin everyone's fun by acting like a parent. Let us properly enjoy the atmosphere of a mixer."
Ei paused, thinking, You actually want to continue this mixer? Wouldn't it be easier just to call it a family dinner?
"..."
Morgan subtly glanced at everyone present, then placed her long, graceful fingers on her chopsticks.
She calmly turned her chopsticks toward Ei.
Her target was perfectly clear.
She had found a person of interest at the mixer and was already declaring ownership.
Ei: "???"
Auntie Morgan, so you do know the unwritten rules of a mixer! But your targeting is way too direct! No hesitation whatsoever!
This was bad. Very bad.
He thought he was the hunter at this mixer, but he was merely prey that had walked into the trap.
"In that case..."
Morgan turned to look at Ei.
Previously, her face was strained, as cold and distant as a snowstorm on a cliff.
But now, as if a gentle breeze had passed, she displayed an even more captivating and warm smile, dazzling to behold.
"Could this young man please introduce himself?"
"Of course..."
He stood up and honestly replied:
"My name is Mochizuki Ei... and I am currently single."
"May I ask what your interests are?"
"Playing video games, and sleeping in, I suppose."
"What kind of person do you like in a partner?"
"Someone who possesses both inner and outer beauty."
"I see," she nodded thoughtfully.
Ei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. These questions weren't hard—they were common mixer fare. The children were all right there, so she probably didn't feel comfortable asking anything too explicit.
"Mr. Ei, I have one more question for you," Morgan opened her mouth again.
Why did you change the address? This formal title makes it feel like a marriage interview!
"Please ask, Lady."
"If you love a person, can you also love her children?"
"???"
She just dropped an enormous question so casually! She really thinks this is a marriage interview!
I came to the mixer to ascend the ladder of adulthood, but this isn't a ladder—it's an elevator going straight to a full family.
"What are you standing there gaping for? My mother is asking you a question! Is the question really that hard to answer?" Baobhan Sith snapped angrily.
It's extremely hard to answer! This question involves your entire family! Are you asking me if I'm okay with instantly becoming your stepfather?!
Ei leaned closer to Gawain and whispered, "This is bad, Sir Gawain. Your mother seems to be treating this mixer like a marriage interview. What should we do? She has a deep misunderstanding of what a mixer is."
"Actually, a mixer and a marriage interview are quite similar; both are seeking love."
"There's a huge difference! A mixer is essentially a group of men and women with nowhere to release their hormones, drinking heavily to heat up the atmosphere, and then using the name of the mixer to try and escalate the situation into an out-of-control orgy!"
"Sir Ei, your misunderstanding of the mixer is possibly even greater."
Then, Gawain leaned in and whispered back:
"Even though Mother is here, there is still a chance for you and Baobhan Sith to succeed. Mother has created a great opening; now it's my turn to help you heat up the atmosphere."
"Gawain, you..."
Even now, you're still thinking of keeping your promise and being my wingman?
"Alright! It's my turn to ask a question!"
Gawain's chopsticks pointed at Gareth next to him, adopting a challenging posture that clearly meant, "Your opponent is me!"
"May I ask this lovely Lady, what are your hobbies?"
Ei was instantly filled with profound respect.
As expected of Sir Gawain! What a magnificent Sun Knight! This is a man among men!
For his brother's sake, he dared to flirt with his own sister at a mixer right in front of his mother! This was the height of loyalty, almost bordering on perversion!
"Ah, well... I like sword and spear practice..." Gareth answered, somewhat embarrassed, but honest. "Brother Gawain, you already know all this, don't you? Are you deliberately flirting with me? Haha... That's a bit gross, honestly..."
He was despised! As expected, his sister despised him!
No, not just Gareth—the rest of the family members also directed cold stares at Gawain.
Before Ei could stop him, Gawain aimed his chopsticks at the next mixer participant, Mordred.
"May I ask this lovely Lady, what are your hobbies?"
"Ugh. Did you finally ruin your brain with all that mashed potato-eating?"
Mordred said with extreme contempt.
Ei was close to tears beside them.
Even facing this, you're still charging forward for my love?
Stop, Sir Gawain. Don't go this far for someone like me.
Maybe I should offer your mother 5 QP and beg her to let the three of us go.